On Aristotle's Physics 3
By: Philoponus ; translated by M.J. Edwards.
Publisher: Cornell University Press; NCROL
Published: 1994
Place of publication: Ithaca, N.Y
Language: eng
Number of pages: 218
Subjects: Aristotle.; Physics -- Early works to 1800.; Philosophy of nature -- Early works to 1800.
Description: Book 3 of Aristotle's Physics elaborates definitions of change and infinity - concepts central to his theory of nature. In a sixth-century commentary on Physics 3, Philoponus makes use of Aristotle's views to argue for a Christian interpretation of infinity.

In Physics Book 2, Aristotle defines nature as an internal source of change. By elaborating Aristotle's view of change, Book 3 takes an important step in establishing the claim - to be made in Book 8 - for a divine mover who causes change but in whom no change occurs. Book 3 also introduces Aristotle's doctrine of infinity as always potential, but never actual and never traversed.

Here, as elsewhere, Philoponus turns Aristotle's arguments about infinity against the pagan Neoplatonist belief in a universe without a beginning.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [177]-178) and indexes.